# Highrock Church
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{{short description|Historic church in Massachusetts, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Saint Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church
| nrhp_type =
| image = ArlingtonMA_GreekOrthodoxChurch.jpg
| caption = Photograph taken in 2008
| location = [Arlington, Massachusetts](/source/Arlington%2C_Massachusetts)
| coordinates = {{coord|42|24|59|N|71|9|27|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = Massachusetts#USA
| area =
| built = 1841
| architect = [Thomas J. Silloway](/source/Thomas_J._Silloway)
| architecture = Romanesque
| added = June 23, 1983
| refnum = 83000805[{{NRISref|2008a}}]
| nrhp_type2 = cp
| nocat = yes
| designated_nrhp_type2 = September 27, 1985
| partof = [Arlington Center Historic District](/source/Arlington_Center_Historic_District)
| partof_refnum = 85002691
}}
'''Highrock Church''' is an [Evangelical Covenant Church](/source/Evangelical_Covenant_Church) congregation located in [Arlington, Massachusetts](/source/Arlington%2C_Massachusetts). Founded in 1999, it occupies the former '''Saint Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church''' at 735 Massachusetts Avenue in the town center. The building, constructed in 1841 and restyled in 1860, is a prominent regional example of Italianate ecclesiastical architecture, and was listed on the [National Register of Historic Places](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places) in 1983.[{{cite book|url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/63796033|title=NRHP nomination for Greek Orthodox Church|series=File Unit: National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Massachusetts, 1964 - 2012 |publisher=National Archive|accessdate=2017-09-28}}]
The church building was constructed in 1841 for a [Universalist](/source/Universalist) congregation that had broken off from First Parish Congregational Church, which maintained a [Unitarian](/source/Unitarianism) belief. It was originally trimmed with Greek Revival features, and lacked the projecting entry and tower. In 1860 it was substantially altered according to plans developed by ecclesiastical architect [Thomas Silloway](/source/Thomas_Silloway), which included the elaborate front and a tower with a {{convert|90|ft|m|adj=on}} spire. The spire was damaged in the [Great New England Hurricane of 1938](/source/Great_New_England_Hurricane_of_1938), and was replaced by the cupola. The church's architecture is regarded as one of the finest examples of early Italianate ecclesiastical architecture in the [Greater Boston](/source/Greater_Boston) area.[
In 1961, the two congregations reunited at the Unitarian Church. In 1964, Saint Athasius [Greek Orthodox Church](/source/Greek_Orthodox_Church) purchased the building from the Universalists and made the site its home until 2004.][{{Cite web |url=http://www.saintathanasius.org/history/ |title=History of St. Athanasius the Great of Arlington, MA |access-date=2010-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718180051/http://www.saintathanasius.org/history/ |archive-date=2010-07-18 |url-status=dead }}] The church building was added to the [National Register of Historic Places](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places) in 1983. In 2006, the Highrock congregation purchased the building, after the Greek Orthodox congregation moved to a larger structure (the former St. James Roman Catholic Church in Arlington).
==Congregation history==
The Highrock congregation was established in 1999 in [Needham, Massachusetts](/source/Needham%2C_Massachusetts), adopting the name "Highrock" from the street on which they met. The joined the Evangelical Covenant Church in 2003, and in 2006 purchased this building.[http://www.highrock.org/about/church-plants/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228221253/http://www.highrock.org/about/church-plants/ |date=December 28, 2012 }} (accessed November 6, 2012)] In 2008, Highrock launched its first [church plant](/source/Church_planting), establishing a new congregation in [Brookline](/source/Brookline%2C_Massachusetts). In the summer of 2012, Highrock launched two new church plants in [Quincy](/source/Quincy%2C_Massachusetts) and [Salem](/source/Salem%2C_Massachusetts).